National park · United States
Pickett State Park
Visit Pickett State Park: pay the entry fee (check), drive 30 min from the nearest town, hike the Laurel Falls trail (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) in spring–fall; avoid peak summer weekends.Visit Pickett State Park: pay the entry fee (check), drive 30 min from the nearest town, hike the Laurel Falls trail (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) in spring–fall; avoid peak summer weekends.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
49 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (49 km²)
approximate
Established
1933
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 49 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (49 km²)
- Park covers 12,000 acres (≈48.6 km²) within the larger 20,887‑acre Pickett State Forest (check).
- Established
- 1933
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Cookeville
Pickett State Park offers forested hills, waterfalls, and year‑round cabin and campground options in the Appalachian foothills, with easy trails like Laurel Falls and a modest $5 vehicle entry fee.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1933.
Size and age
49 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (49 km²) · national park since 1933
Park covers 12,000 acres (≈48.6 km²) within the larger 20,887‑acre Pickett State Forest (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Cookeville.
Why go
- Forested hills and waterfalls in the Appalachian foothills.
- Cabin rentals and campground for overnight stays.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, low crowds (check).
- FebCool, low crowds (check).
- MarSpring blooms, mild temps.
- AprMild, wildflowers.
- MayWarm, waterfalls full.
- JunHeat rises, some bugs.
- JulHot, humidity.
- AugHot, occasional storms.
- SepCooler, less rain.
- OctFall colors.
- NovCool, fewer visitors.
- DecCold, quiet.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White‑tailed deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| SongbirdsMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Cookeville, TN
Drive north on US‑27 for ~30 km (19 mi) to the park gate.Drive north on US‑27 for ~19 mi (30 km) to the park gate.
45 min
From Knoxville, TN
Take I‑75 N then US‑27 N to the park.
2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main campground | 32 sites with electric & water hookups, shower house. | Open year‑round, reserve by phone. |
| Cabin area | 20 cabins with kitchens, fireplaces. | Open year‑round, reserve by phone. |
| Trailheads | Access points for hiking trails. | Open with park entry. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are from the official park page; trailhead point is approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (vehicle) | US$5 | vehicle | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on trails, must be on a leash at all times.
- Firearms
- Hunting not permitted within park boundaries.
- Camping
- Only in designated campground sites; backcountry camping not allowed.
Where to stay
In the park
Cabins
One‑ to three‑bedroom cabins with kitchen and fireplace.
In the park
Campground
32 sites with water and electric hookups.
Near the park
Cookeville
Hotels and motels 30 km (19 mi) south of the park.Hotels and motels 19 mi (30 km) south of the park.
Safety
Heat medium
Wildlife low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main campground and cabins reachable by car with short walks.
- Some trails have uneven terrain; not wheelchair accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Use refillable water bottles; refill at campground taps.
- Pack out all litter; stay on marked trails.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pickett State Park?
The entry fee is $5 per vehicle (check the official site for the latest rate).
What are the best hikes in Pickett State Park?
Laurel Falls Trail (2 km, easy) and the longer back‑country loop (≈5 km, moderate) are popular; verify trail conditions before heading out.
When is the best time to visit Pickett State Park?
Spring (Mar–May) and fall (Sep–Oct) offer mild weather and fewer crowds.
Are cabins available year‑round?
Yes, cabins can be reserved by phone for any season.
Can I camp outside the designated campground?
No, back‑country camping is not permitted; use the 32 campsite sites.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Pickett State Park
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